The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの手記)

What?

You want to go back for your hat and parasol?

Lady Dominique selected them especially for me.

No, don't be silly.

Worst-case scenario, the chasseurs have already been summoned.

Lady Dominique...

Let's go.

I'll escort you to the barrier.

What?

Perhaps you'd intended to stay with me till the morning?

No! I can't leave without achieving my original objective!

Original objective?

You mean determining whether your love for me is true?

Mission accomplished, is it not?

Yeah, right, dream on!

I've done all this so I'd never have to see you again!

I've worked so hard to make it happen!

I quietly suffered unbearable humiliation just to pretend I was in love with—

Oops.

Yes, I did find that side of you quite lovely today.

I knew that's what I liked about you.

Huh?

Still, I'm surprised Luca let you come see me alone.

Are you sure it's okay?

Oh, you didn't tell him?

Master Luca is with his elder brother.

The grand duke's brother.

You speak of the Bestia Loki.

That's why I was told to take the day off and received permission to come see you.

Permission?

From whom?

Lord Ruthven?

Huh? Yes, but how...

Vanitas?!

Noé!

What is it, Vanitas?

The Case Study of Vanitas

The Case Study of Vanitas

You always ponder the simple stuff like emotions and love

I hope one day you'll come to understand them

Torn apart and patched back together so many times leaves you a miserable sight

You don't even know what it means to be alive

You needn't put into words that you want us alone together

I have a feeling we can accept one another, and that's fine for now

I love this world, and I love the light that only you can bring me

Even with my fractured eyes it makes this world

Appear ever so radiant

There's nothing certain in life

But I'm sure you can see me

When the sky and void meet, turn back from dreams of the future

Swear to me.

On one occasion, at the time of my choosing,

you shall obey my command, no matter what it may be.

Swear it.

Swear it!

I swear that...

on one occasion, at the time of your choosing,

I shall obey your command, no matter what it may be.

I swear it.

Excellent.

What? Why didn't you kill him?

I changed my mind.

The Shapeless One concerns me.

We must discover why that monster is keeping an Archiviste close at hand.

Until then, it may be wiser to use the boy as a pawn.

He's but a child.

We could slay him anytime we wish.

I have high hopes for you, my lad.

When the time comes, do not forget your vow.

It's already dark outside!

Did I really sleep that long?!

Vanitas, why are you so out of breath?

Huh? Have you been injured?

Never mind that.

Why did Vanitas run off like that?

If he hasn't returned by now,

I suppose I can leave.

Jeanne.

Maître Ruthven, what are you doing here?

There was a matter that couldn't wait to be dealt with.

Upon hearing a vampire had caused an uproar on Montmartre, I thought I'd come have a look.

That was your doing, Jeanne?

P-Please, forgive me!

I swear I didn't harm a single human!

Actually, I mean, I did bite this one human, but it was consensual! I had their consent!

Then there shall be no problem.

How lovely you look.

I have no doubt Éric and Louise would have loved to have seen you like this.

Maître.

The night grows cold.

Come now, Jeanne, let's go home.

Well? Were they over there?

Nope, no sign of 'em.

How about calling off the search?

It seems they made a clean escape.

Still, Jeanne was clearly acting strange.

I'll keep looking a bit longer.

Roland!

Greetings, Olivier!

I can't believe you found me.

I hear you've been sneaking around searching for something.

Sneaking around? That's not nice.

I'm simply brushing up on my history.

History?

That's right.

The history of humans and vampires, to be precise.

No need to look so angry.

I haven't laid a hand on any of the forbidden tomes.

Why do this now?

I thought I might find something unlike anything before.

I had always thought of vampires as pure evil.

Of that, I had no doubt.

I had no grounds to question it.

But I've learned that's not true!

My eyes are open!

There is no cause for concern.

One so deeply faithful as Captain Roland would never do harm to the church.

You do not understand, Georges.

Strictly speaking, it is not God he believes in.

He believes in himself as one of the Lord's faithful.

You listen to me, Roland!

You are a chasseur, a hunter of vampires in our Lord's name!

If our superiors learn of such remarks, you'll be deemed dangerous.

And if worst comes to worst, your parents and siblings may come to harm!

Say, Olivier.

How many paladins do you think I could battle on my own?

What?

Three? Four?

Maybe even more if I wanted to tempt fate?

What is this non—

Oh, but...

I imagine I'd be hard-pressed if I battled you.

After all that, he has the nerve to threaten me?

You understand, Olivier?

You know what kind of man I am.

I can only believe in that which I believe to be true.

Hell's bells.

What is this?

Quack!

Dante.

Dominique's not with you?

What? Domi?

Aw, hell. I thought you might be on to us.

Anyone who didn't notice that needs their head examined.

I won't argue that.

But enough about that, quack!

Some unbelievable info just came in!

The Beast lives!

The Beast of Gévaudan has reared its head!

Gévau... what?

Now that's interesting.

Don't spare the details, Dante.

It is said to have resembled an enormous wolf.

Its large maw was twisted, and its ears pointed.

It had sharp claws and a body covered in red fur.

And it had many black stripes upon its back.

In the 18th-century regions of Auvergne and Gévaudan,

over 100 women and children were brutally ripped to shreds by this thing.

Known as the Beast of Gévaudan, it had the people cowering in fear.

Even now, there are all sorts of theories as to what the Beast really was.

But back then, both the church and vampires agreed on one thing.

The Beast of Gévaudan was none other than a curse-bearing vampire!

So what's this about the Beast of Gévaudan rearing its head?

Is it truly the same Beast as the 18th-century killer?

Honestly, I can't say either way yet.

But five bodies have already turned up this month.

All the killings differed. Some had their entrails devoured or heads torn off.

Just like in the 18th century, eh?

Yeah, and there are even eyewitness accounts of the Beast.

So? What's the plan, quack?

I'll go see for myself whether it really is a curse-bearer.

What will you do, Noé?

Who?

Me?